The Oceanside Lifeguard Service provides public safety to users of Oceanside's coastline and ocean waterways from the Oceanside Harbor entrance to the south city limits, safeguarding 3.7 miles of beach. Beach areas include Harbor Beach, North Pier Beaches, South Pier Beaches, Wisconsin Street, Oceanside Blvd., and Buccaneer Beach.

Oceanside was incorporated in 1888 with the Lifeguard Service dating back to the mid-1940s. Today we have over 45 seasonal staff and 6 full-time lifeguards. Our Junior Lifeguard Program, aimed at youths from 9-16 years of age, is an extremely popular program conducted each summer with annual attendance exceeding 650 students. The Oceanside Lifeguard Service operates seven days per week all year. Throughout the summer months, our hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. During the winter months, hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We operate out of Lifeguard Headquarters at the base of the pier, 301 North The Strand, and one communications/dispatch tower in the middle of the pier. Lifeguard responsibilities include water rescue of swimmers and surfers, boat rescues, underwater search and rescue, swift-water rescue, missing persons, and related emergencies. Oceanside lifeguards also handle enforcement of laws and regulations, primarily related to beach and water use, through citation and arrest. The lifeguard service utilizes a wide variety of rescue equipment to handle these responsibilities.

In emergencies, Oceanside lifeguards can be contacted and dispatched by dialing 911. Informational telephone numbers include a recorded beach and surf report, which is updated twice daily.